The Cistercian Abbey of
Knockmoy, in the village of Abbeyknockmoy, was founded by
the King of Connacht, Cathal
Crovdearg O Connor, in the years 1189-1190.
He was buried there in 1244.

Knockmoy is rare in
that it has a fresco still (barely) visible on the wall of
the chancel.

The monastery was plundered
in 1200 (by William De Burgo) and in 1228, and the Abbot was
censured in 1240 for having his hair washed by a woman. In
1483, the abbot was accused of setting fire to the abbey.